Lubricating apparatus



Feb. 13, 1940. H, NEM N 2,190,580

LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 9 r m.) 14' (W Feb. 13, 1940.- w UNEMAN 2,190,580

: LUBRICATING APPARATUS Fil ed Jan. 16. 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 13, 1940. w. H. WINEMAN 2,190,530

LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lfiieeman.

Feb. 13, 1940. w. H. WINEMAN 2,190,580

LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1936 4 Sheets-$11961, 4

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Patented Feb. 13, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE LUBRIGATING APPARATUS Application January 16, 1936, Serial No. 59,428

15 Claims.

My invention relates 'to lubricating apparatus, and more particularly to lubricating apparatus especially adapted for the lubrication of devices v in which the member to be lubricated so moves relative to a point of lubricant ingress that said point is alternately exposed to widely difiering pressures.

Anobject of this invention is to provide an improved lubricating apparatus. Another object of my invention is to provide improved lubricating means for a compressor, motor, or other device in which wide fluctuations in pressure frequently recur. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved lubricant pump. Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved force-feed lubricator drive. A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved means for spraying upon the walls of a cylinder in which a piston recipe rocates, a small quantity of lubricant, whereby a thorough but economical lubrication is effected. Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved lubricating apparatus for a motor of the expansible chamber type in which the fluid distribution mechanism of the motor controls the lubrication. Other objects and advantages. of my invention will hereinafter more fully appear. In the accompanying drawings, in which for purposes of illustration one embodiment and a modification of my invention are shown:

Fig. l is a side elevational view showing a system in which an illustrative embodiment of the invention is incorporated. I

Fig. 2 shows an expansible chamber motor, partially in side elevation and partially in vertical section, with which the improved lubricating means is associated. v Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section showing a distributing valve actuating means.

Fig. 4 is a view-partially inelevation and partially in section, showing details of the lubricant delivery means proper.

Fig.5 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of a distributing valve mechanism and the lubricant pumpdrive.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the lubricant pump drive in a different position.

Fig. '7 is a view showing a modified lubricant pump drive. 1

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal vertical section through the force-feed lubricator chamber, with parts omitted.

Fig. 9 is a view, partially in enaelevauon and a partially in vertical transverse section, through the force-feed lubricator.

It will be understood that my invention may be embodied in certain of its aspects in conjunction with a compressor, adouble acting expan- 5 sible chamber motor, a vacuum pump, or with other units in which there are alternately relatively high and'relatively low pressures existent within a chamber whose walls are to be lubricated. In the accompanying drawings, to which '10 reference is made, the invention is shown incorporated in a pneumatic pumping head used for the purpose of effecting the pumping of oil wells in which the natural flow is not under suflicient pressure to raise the oil to the surface.

Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be noted that upon a platform I a derrick 2 having a suitable top 3.is mounted. Suspended by a pivot 4 is a pumping motor generally designated 5, which is herein of the single acting type and whichis pro-' 20 vided with an inlet valve mechanism 6 and an exhaust valve mechanism I. Operating fluid is supplied through a connection 8 first to a preheater 9 and then through a pipe l0. and under the control of a stop valve H, to a valve chest I2. 25 After its use in the motor the fluid is exhausted under the control of the exhaust valve mechanism 1, past the stop valve l3 and through a line ll, under a substantial back pressure, and is led back by the pipe H to the intake side of a com- 30 pressor. This general system is well known, and the details of the motor are covered in Patent No. 2,103,308 already granted to me.

The motor 5 has a cylinder 15 within whose bore IS a piston I1 is reciprocable under the 35 control of the distributing valve mechanism here'- tofore mentioned.- and shortly to be morefully described. Piston IT has a piston rod l8, which is connected, as at is, to a pump-rod line .20. The latter extends into a well and to a suitable 0 pump located in the well and actuated by the pump-rod line. Oil raised by the pump is delivered through a line 2|- toja desired location, and gas may be led away from the well by asuitable connection 22.

In view of its disclosure in my granted Patent No. 2,103,308, and because its precise construction is not essential, ahig-hly detailed description of the distributing valve mechanism is unnecessary in this application. It may be pointed out, howon walls of the valve chest I 2 are hot, and the utility of this will shortly be explained. A port 26, surrounded by a suitable valve seat 21, leads to an admission passage 28 opening into the bottom of the cylinder bore [6. An admission valve 28 is adapted to cooperate with the seat 21 in controlling admission and cut-ofi. The valve is governed in its movements by a differential piston mechanism 38, comprising a lower head 3| of substantially the same diameter as the passage 26 through the valve seat, and an upper, somewhat enlarged, head 32. These heads move in corresponding bores 33 and 34, respectively; and the space below the head 32 in the bore 34 is constantly vented to atmosphere. It will be noted that when the admission valve 29 is closed it is subjected to the cylinder pressure, and when it is opened it is also subjected to the same pressure, substantially, that exists in the cylinder. The upper end of the bore 34 is adapted to be connected with the bore of the cylinder through passages formed by pipes 31 and 38, the former communicating with the cylinder bore in such a position that its mouth is uncovered by the downwardly moving piston as the latter nears the bottom of its stroke, while passage 38 opens into the bore of the cylinder at a point which is uncovered by the upwardly moving piston as the latter nears the top limit of its stroke. Through suitable means, indicated on Figures 1 and 2 by 48, the point of communication of the connection 38 with the cylinder may be varied. Communication cf the connection 38 with the top of the bore 34 is controlled by a ported valve 42, which is moved to open position by plunger 43 engageable by the head 32 when the admission valve is in full open position. When the head 32 is in the position corresponding to the closed position of the valve 29, the valve 42 is seated and prevents communication between the space at the top of the bore 34 through the connection 38 and the cylinder bore. The communication of the cylinder bore by way of passage 31 with the space within the bore 34 is controlled by valve 45 resiliently supported by the head 32 and cooperating with a valve seat 46 surrounding the mouth or lower end of the passage 31. As a result of this construction, communication through the passage 31, between the cylinder bore and the space above the head 32 within the space 34, is possible only when the valve 2!! is moved away from its full open position.

The exhaust valve 56, which controls the communication between the lower end of the cylinder bore, through a passage 5| and through a valve seat 52, with an exhaust chamber 53, is controlled by a similar mechanism to that described with respect to the admission valve, and corresponding parts are provided with corresponding numbers save that the parts of the operating mechanism for the exhaust valves bear primed numbers. It may be noted that the connection 31 is adapted to communicate with the bore of the cylinder at a point above the point 39A, of communication of the cylinder bore with connection 31, and mechanism 54 is provided .to, permit 'a variation in the locus of communication.- The connection 38' opens into the cylinder bore at a.

P int 39R. above the point of normal communication of th connection 38. Mechanisms, dia- 1 grammatically illustrated only and designated 56 and 51, respectively, may be provided after the manner of the construction shown in Letters Patent No. 2,103,308 and in Letters, Patent No.

' 4,146 which have been granted to me, for the purpose of effecting communication of passages 31 and 31' at the same point, if desired, with the cylinder bore, and communication of passages 38 and 38 at the same point, if desired, with the cylinder bore.

Now the mode of operation of the motor may advantageously be briefly described. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 2, motive fluid is entering the lower end of the cylinder bore, flowing past the valve 29 and through the pas-v sage, 28, and is beginning to move the piston l1 upwardly. As the piston moves upward, it uncovers the cylinder end of the connection 31, but nothing happens because the valve 45 is resting upon the seat 46. In like manner, when the piston uncovers the cylinder end of the connection 31', nothing happens because the valve 45' is seated upon the seat 46. When the piston, however, uncovers with its lower edge the point of communication of the connection 38 with the cylinder bore, fluid flows past the ported valve 42 and enters the chamber 34 and acts upon the piston 32 and starts the latter to move downwardly; and before sufficient downward move- 'ment can take place to permit closure of valve piston and the weight of the supported parts will overcome the back pressure in pipe l4, nothing will occur for a substantial time, though the upper end of the cylinder, which is connected with atmosphere through a vent port 60, will, when the upper end of the piston passes below the points of communication oi. the connections 38 and 38' with the cylinder bore, be placed in communication with said connections, for the valves 42 and 42 preclude the escape of fluid from above the pistons 32 and 32' by way of the connections 38 and 38'. When, however, the upper end of the piston passes below the connections 31' and 31, first the exhaust valve will be permitted to close, and then the admission valve permitted to open, because the pressure, which has been holding them in their former positions, will be vented through the valve seats 46' and 46, and the connections 31 and 31, and the upper end of the cylinder and the vent port 60. This cycle of operation will be repeated in an obvious manner as long as motive fluid is space 25.,

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 to 9 supplied to the valve chest of the drawings-,it will be observed that a forcefeed lubricator generally designated 6| is secured against the heated surface 62 of the admission valve chamber, whereby the lubricant 63 within the chamber 64 of the lubricator is ,maintained hotand free fiowing. The chamber .84 is partially divided by a partition 65, into a space 66 in which an actuating mechanism is located, and a larger space 66 in which-rthe several pumps are arranged. The lubricator may cylinder 81 contains a plunger 88 moving into a space 69 between suction (18) and delivery ('II) check valves. It will further be noted that a second check valve I2 controls the suction connection I3, while a standing valve 14 is arranged above the delivery check valve II and prevents refiow through a delivery'line I5, which may be led to a desired point of delivery. Herein, the particular delivery line leads to a lubricating device which will shortly be further described;

Within the space 66 is an eccentric I8 carried on an eccentric shaft 11 for actuating the .pump plunger 68, and a manual means I8 is provided to permit a few shots of lubricant to be provided at a more rapid rate if desired, or even when the motor is stopped. The shaft TI is rotated, in

the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, by a ratchet wheel 88, which is secured to it, and a pawl-type driving mechanism generally designated 8|. This includes a-. plunger 82 reciprocably mounted in a bore 83 provided by cover plate member 84 and having a motive fluid supply connection 85 branching from the connection 38. It will be evident, from what has been said with respect to the connection 38, that fluid will be admitted to the line 85 when the main motor piston nears the top of its working stroke, and will be vented from the connection 85 soon after the downstroke of themotor commences. The plunger 82 acts upon a pawl carrier 81, pivotally mounted at 88 and normally held in a raised position by a spring 89; A pawl 98, pivotally supported at 9| on the pawl carrier, is normally pressed by a spring actuatedplunger 92 into a ratchet-engaging position. The pawl carrier carries a projection 94 which serves as an anti-coasting device. The mode of operation of this lubricator actuating mechanism will be obvious from what has been said. Each time the motor piston I'I reciprocates, the plunger 82 will effect one ratchet tooth of rotation of the drive shaft 11. Since there are, in the construction shown, twenty-three teeth on the ratchet 88, the drive shaft II will be rotated once in each twentythree reciprocations of the piston II, which is about once every minute to a minute and a half or so of operation of the pumping motor under normal conditions. The quantity of liquid displaced through the connection I5 will depend of course on the displacement of the pump plunger 68.

The connection I5 leads to a lubricant-injector device I88 mounted on the side wall of the cylinder I5 in a position shown in the drawings as more or less mid-way between the ends of the cylinder, but which may-obviously communicate with the cylinder bore in a wide variety of locations provided only it be over-run by thev bottom ofthe piston on the upstroke of the latter and the top of the piston on the downstroke of the latter. The lubricant-injector I88 comprises a chamber IM to which the connection I5 leads, and which has a lower reduced portion I82 communicating through a bore I83 in a connecting device I84 with an opening I85 in the cylinder wall. The opening I83 is reduced, as at I86, at

its end nearest the cylinder bore, for reasons.

-. each rotation of the shaft 11 no lubricant will be pumpedthrough the connection I5. However, during a number of main pump-motorestrokes, intervening the times when no lubricant; pumping is taking place, there will be a gradual pumping of lubricant, for the working stroke of the plunger 68 will be occurring during a number of.

strokes of the motor piston I1. The lubricant gradually delivered through the connection I5 to the chamber I81 will enter the reduced chamber I82 and will be blown from that chamber through the connection I83 in the following manner. Each time that the motor'piston I'I passes above the opening I85,f.ull motive fluid pressure will enter through the port I88 and passage I83. The chamber I8II82 will'thus have built up therein a substantial pressure, which will be partially entrapped as the piston passes over the opening I85'on its downward stroke. It will be understood that some'of the pressure passes out when the cylinder is connected with the exhaust line at release. When the upper end of the piston passes, on the downward travel of the piston, below the upper edge of the opening I85, there will be a sudden placing in communication of the air at considerable pressure within the space I8I--I82-I83 with a space where the pressure is little above atmosphere, i. e., the space above the piston. Accordingly, the air will rush from the chamber I8I--I82 and through the passage I83 and will entrain a small quantityof lubricant and carry it out in the form, virtually, of a mist into the cylinder bore, but at such velocity that it will reach the walls of the cylinder very effectually. The same result-lubricant projection-:also occurs to some extent at release.

It will be evident that on each complete reciprocatlon of the motor piston N, there will be, when lubricant is available within the chamber I82, at least one spray of a small quantity of lubricant into the cylinder. It will be evident that this lubricant will be most advantageously applied. It will be evident that the quantity may be made adequate without waste. It will be evident that the pumping device employed is most effectually operated by its coordinated re lation with the main pumping motor. It will be clear that the lubricator drive is certain and definite and not subject to any substantial possibility of derangement.

In the modified lubricator drive of Fig. '7, a plunger guide H8 is arranged within the space 66 normally pressed by a spring H2 housed therein, against the lower surface of the pawl carrier 81', whose downward movement about its pivot 88' is limited by engagement with the upper end of the plunger guide I I8. The bore of the plunger guide II8 communicates through the opening II4 with the'lubricant space in the space 66 near the bottom of the latter, and a small check-valved passage II5 opens through the top of the plunger III, whereby a most effectually cushioned action of the apparatus is effected, as it will be noted that by selecting the dimension of the check-valve-controlled opening and of the opening H4, a very exactly regulated cushioned action can be secured. The mode of operation of this form of the invention will require no further description in view of what has previously been said.

Obviously, this apparatus as a whole is simple, effective, rugged, durable, positive in action, and well adapted, with appropriate modifications, to

A plunger III is guided therein and is.

substantially any form of expansible chamber 11101301, 01 compressor, 01 vacuum pump.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, together with a modification, it will be understood that this disclosure is for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means providing a passage opening through a wall of said cylinder and overrun by the piston in the normal movements of the latter, a lubricant chamber communicating with said passage and providing a lubricant storage space and a gaseous fluid receiving space, and means operated by cylinder working pressure for periodically delivering to said chamber a predetermined quantity of lubricant.

2. In combination, a single-acting cylinder having one end under atmospheric pressure, a

piston reciprocable therein, means providing a passage opening through a wall of said cylinder and overrun by the piston in each of the opposite normal movements of the latter, a lubricant chamber communicating with said passage and providing a lubricant storage space and a gaseous fluid receiving space, and fluid pressure operated means for periodically delivering to said chamber a predetermined quantity of lubricant.

3. In combination, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means providing a passage opening through a wall of said cylinder and overrun by a piston in the normal movements of the latter, a lubricant chamber communicating with said passage and providing a lubricant storage space below thebottom level of said passage and a gaseousT'fluid storage chamber above said lubricant storage space, and means for periodically delivering to said chamber a predetermined quantity of lubricant.

4. In combination, a motor, a pressure-fluidactuated lubricator therefor, said motor having a cylinder, a piston and fluid distribution means including a fluid-actuated distribution valve, and means for conducting actuating pressure fluid to said lubricator concurrently with admission of actuating fluid to said fluid-actuated distribution valve 5. In combination, a motor, a pressure-fluidactuated lubricator therefor, said motor having a cylinder, a piston and fluid distribution means including a fluid-actuated distribution valve, and means for conducting pressure fluid to said lubricator concurrently with admission of actuating fluid to said fluid-actuated distribution valve including a common conduit opening at one end into communication with the motor cylinder.

6. In combination, a motor, a pressure-fluidactuated lubricator therefor, said motor having a cylinder and a piston and a fluid actuated distribution valve, and means including a conduit controlled by said piston for conducting operating fluid periodically to said lubricator and to said distribution valve.

'I. In combination, a motor having a reciprocable piston and a cylinder having a bore in which said piston reciprocates, means for subjecting the opposite ends of said cylinder bore to unequal pressures and a pressure fluid operated lubricator having delivery and lubricator operating fluid connections with the cylinder bore each of which is overrun by said piston and subjected to pressure conditions in the opposite ends of said cylinder bore.

8. In combination, a motor having a reciprocable piston and a cylinder having a bore in which said piston reciprocates, and a pressure fluid operated lubricator having delivery and lubricator operating fluid connections with the cylinder bore each of which is covered and uncovered by said piston once in each stroke of the latter.

9. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant injector device comprising a casing providing a relatively large, upper, gaseous-pressure-fluid storage chamber and a lower lubricant storage space freely connected to said gaseous-pressurefluid storage chamber and having a discharge orifice above its bottom, said lubricant injector device including between said lubricant storage space and said orifice a passage constructed and arranged to serve for the supply of gaseous pressure fluid to said gaseous-pressure-fluid storage space and for the discharge of lubricant.

10. In combination, a motor operated by heated fluid, a valve chest therefor, a fluid actuated distributing valve insaid valve chest, a lubricant reservoir juxtaposed to said valve chest and heated thereby, a lubricant chamber, passage means connecting said-lubricant reservoir to said lubricant chamber, a lubricant pump associated with said reservoir for pumping lubricant to said lubricant chamber, and means including a passage subjected to alternating pressures for conducting lubricant to said motor periodically from said lubricant chamber.

11. In combination, a cylinder, a piston reciprocated therein by heated fluid, fluid actuated distributing valve means for controlling admission and exhaust of said heated fluid with respect to one end of said cylinder, a lubricant reservoir juxtaposed to said distributing valve means and heated thereby, a lubricant pump associated with said reservoir, and means for conducting lubricant to said cylinder from said reservoir including a passage opening through the walls of said cylinder and overrun by said. piston during its normal movements.

12. In combination, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, means for continuously venting one end of said cylinder and means for controlling admission and exhaust with respect to the opposite end of said cylinder, means providing a passage opening through a wall of said cylinder, a lubricant chamber communicating with said passage and providing a lubricant storage space below the bottom level of said passage and a gaseous-fluid storage chamber above said lubricant storage space, and means for connecting said lubricant chamber to atmosphere during part of the stroke of said piston and to cylinder pressure during another part of the piston stroke.

13. As an article of manufacture, a lubricant injector device comprising a casing providing a relatively large, upper, gaseous-pressure-fluid storage chamber and a lower lubricant storage space having a discharge orifice arranged above its bottom and whose bore has a communication with said gaseous-pressure-fluid storage chamber above the lubricant level in said lubricant storage space.

14. In combinatioma motor having a recipro cable piston and a cylinder having a bore in which said piston reciprocates, means for continuously venting one end of said cylinder bore and means for controlling admission and exhaust with respect to the opposite end'of said cylinder bore, and a pressure fluid operated lubricator having delivery and lubricator operating fluid connections with the cylinder bore each of which is covered and uncovered by said piston once in each pass of the latter.

15. In combination, a motor, a pressure-fluidactuated lubricator therefor, saidmotor having a cylinder, means for venting one end "of said point overrun by said piston on each of its strokes. 10

WAbE H. WINEMAN. 

